Collapsible theftproof bottle display device



Jam. 13, 1942. G. F. MUENDEL 2,269,471

COLLAPSIBLE THEFTPROOF BOTTLE DISPLAY DEVICE gag 12 7 Filed Dec. 19, 1958 I 2o s2\ /31 14%13 32 F 81 20 H-110 \O 0 ii lo 0 22-1} i 0 l 12 B I Fig. 2

Fig. 3

gm r. INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 13, 1942 COLLABSIBLE THEFTPROOF BOTTLE DISPLAY DEVICE George Muendel, Rowayton, Conn.

Application December 19, 1938, Serial No. 246,615

(or. 211 s) 9 Claims.

My invention relates to display devices. More particularly, it relates to the type of display device used for displaying bottles or other similar containers.

Bottles or similar containers of liquor, perfume and like contents of high value, displayed on counters, shelves, or elsewhere where the public has ready access, are subject to being surreptitiously removed or stolen, resulting in considerable loss. It is therefore one of the objects of this invention to reduce such loss to a minimum.

A further object is to provide a display device of the character described which reduces the likelihood of goods assembled thereon from being displaced and thereby damaged or rendered unattractive. Since my invention readily lends itself to decorative effects, while at the same time retaining its theft proof character, this is a further object.

'A still further purpose is to provide a display v device of the character described, which shall comprise relatively few and simple parts, which is collapsible to facilitate shipping and storage, which is easy to assemble, rugged in construction, of low cost, and at the same time, highly eflicient in use; g

Further objects will become apparent in the following detailed description thereof.

In the accompanying drawing, to which reference is had, the device is shown separate from any decorative container, such as a cardboard form of the character of a chest, in which this said stiff wire members particular embodiment has been developed. For

closed herein, a plurality of bottles may be safeguarded as well. i

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevationalview of a completely assembled device embodying my invention, but showing only one bottle in place,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the device corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2, looking toward the hinged side of separator 3|.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view, showing the device collapsed, as for shipping or storage.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, there is shown a display device Ill embodying my invention, comprising an upper platform member 20, a lower platform member 2 l, spaced from each other by separator member 3|, and connected to each other at their ends by flexible strap hinges 22. These platforms 29 and 2| are further firmly held together in such spaced position by means of the bottles B which rest upon upper platform 20, and the stiff wire members passing around the base of the neck of bottles B by means of loop l2, which said stiff wire members pass through platform members 2|) and 2| through corresponding openings 25 in each of said platform members 20 and 2|, and which II have a fastening means |3, |4, at the lower ends thereof. The entire device is raised above the level upon which it rests by any desirable means 5|].

Platform members 20 and 2| are similar in layout and size, each having any desired number of openings 25 of sufficient size to accommodate stiff wire members passing therethrough. Either platform member 20 or 2| may have aff fixed to it crosswise, a separator member 3| by such means as hinge 32. This separator member 3| may be of sufiicient length to extend be yond the shorter edges of platform members 2!] and 2|, in at least one direction, to afford means to erect separator 3| when assembling the device. This separator member 3| is of suificient width to separate platform members 2!] and 2| to the full extent permitted by hinges 22, thereby making platforms 20 and 2| rigid with respect .to each other, said platform members being held together attheir ends by strap hinges 22.

Stiff wire members U have loops I2 at one end.

. hers I l are of sufficient length to reach from the base of the neck of bottles B through openings 25 in platform members 20 and 2|, and to be held tightly under platform member 2|, when the device is assembled for display. Members II are iheld at their lower ends under platform member 2| by means of I3 and I4 consisting of an eyelet M, in which is movably placed butterfly member I3. Butterfly member |3 is sodisposed that it can lie parallel to the length of member II when it is desired to pass member through the openings 25 in platform members 20 and 2|. It is also so disposed that when it has passed through opening 25 of lower platform member 2 I, that it can be held perpendicular to the length of member under lower platform member 2|.

My invention is set up in the following manner. The device is received in the collapsed state shown in Fig. 4. Members H are then passed through the corresponding openings 25 of platform members 20 and 2|, and member |3 caused to lie perpendicular to the length of member ll under lower platform 2|. Bottles B are then inserted at their necks under loops I 2 of member H, the bases of said bottles resting on upper platform 20. Separator 3| is then erected. This causes the slack in members H above the necks of bottles B to be taken up, and bottles 13 are now held firmly with respect to platform member 29.

This prevents individual bottles from being removed from the display without removing the entire display which is of considerable weight. surreptitious filching is therefore eliminated as any attempt will be detected by the noise or dis placement occasioned.

It is readily seen that the entire device may be placed in a decorative container, or may be fastened to a counter or shelf. Provision can be made to keep the handle end of separator 3| inaccessible so that the platforms will not be caused to collapse.

Separator 3! may be hinged as shown, or separate and interposed between platform members 20 and 2| when assembling the display. While friction is sufiicient to maintain separator 3| vertically, it is obvious that it can be fixed or locked in place.

Hinges 22 may be placed at any desirable position on members 2!) and 2|, or may even be dispensed with and other means used to hold the ends of members 20 and 21 together when separator 3! is placed between the platforms.

Likewise, any other means of fastening member H at its upper and lower extremities may be employed.

More or lessvariation of the exact details of tainers, of the character described, comprising an upper main member having an aperture and a lower main member, said upper main member being adapted to support one or more bottles or other containers thereon, means for maintaining said main members in spaced, superimposed relationship to each other, means to hold said bottle or container captive on said upper main member comprising a member adapted to receive a portion of the bottle or container and having a part thereof adapted to pass through the said aperture and to engage the lower of said main members and be held thereby.

2. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the means for maintaining the main members in spaced superimposed relationship is also the means for moving the members relatively to each other, and renders the means to hold the bottle or other container effective when the main members are placed in spaced, superimposed relationship.

3. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the means for spacing and maintaining the main members in spaced, superimposed relationship comprises a pivotally mounted member between the main members adapted to spread the main members.

4. A display device according to claim 1, having means for limiting the relative movement of said main members.

5. A display device according to claim 1, having means comprising expansible hingelike members to limit the relative movement of the main members.

6. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the means to receive a portion of the bottle or other container comprises a looped member.

7. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the means to receive a portion of the bottle or other container comprises a looped member, a part of which engages the lower surface of the lower main member.

8. A display device of the character described, comprising an upper main member and a lower main member, both of said members having corresponding apertures, said upper main member being adapted to support a bottle or other container thereon, and means to hold said bottle or other container captive upon said upper main member, comprising a looped member to receive a portion of the bottle or container, a part of said looped member passing through the corresponding apertures in both members to engage the lower member to be held thereby.

9. A display device for bottles or other containers, of the character described, comprising an upper main member and a lower main member, the upper one of said main members being adapted to support one or more bottles or other containers thereon; means for moving the main members relatively to each other and for maintaining said main members in spaced, superimposed relationship to each other, comprising a pivotly mounted member between the main members adapted to spread the said main members, the extreme spacing of said main members being limited by expansible, hinge-like members between the main members; means to hold said bottle or other container captive upon the upper main member, comprising a looped member adapted to receive a portion of the bottle or container therethrough and having a part thereof adapted to pass through corresponding apertures in said main members to engage the lower surface of the lower main member, said last named means being rendered efiective when the main members are laced in spaced, superimposed relationship.

G'EORGE F. IVIUENDEL. 

